Health Watch: How to treat psoriasis

Friday

Apr 14, 2017 at 2:01 AMApr 14, 2017 at 9:46 AM

TIP OF THE WEEKSimple solutions to care for psoriasisIf you have psoriasis, medicines are your best treatment solution, but they’re not your only option. Complement your regimen with these strategies from WebMD.-- Moisturize. Whether you prefer creams or lotions, a moisturizing routine will improve your skin and your psoriasis.-- Spend some time in the sun. Sunlight is actually good for your psoriasis, provided you don’t get sunburned. Try to spend 20 minutes a day, 3 days a week, in the sun. Always apply sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher to protect against burns.-- Stop smoking. Yes, you can add problems with your psoriasis to the list of smoking-related complications. One study showed smokers who smoked a pack a day were twice as likely to experience a serious case of psoriasis as those who smoked no more than half a pack a day.

HEALTHY EATING3 tips to make dinner healthier, fasterThese days you’re always on the go. When it’s time to eat, you reach for something fast, which often is not the healthiest choice. Fast and healthy don’t have to be mutually exclusive. You can eat well without a lot of prep time, thanks to these tips from WebMD.-- Opt for precooked meats. Meat from your grocer’s deli or fresh over-the-counter fish are easy, healthy sources of protein.-- Choose a vegetarian selection. Eliminate the meat and you don’t need to cook it. Vegetarian entrees offer a wide array of options for any taste, so explore your choices and add what appeals to you.-- Start with salad. Whether you go meatless or not, a salad makes for a quick, easy meal that can be as light or hearty as you want. Prepackaged options can save you even more time.

ILLNESSWhen to wash to prevent illnessCan frequent hand-washing keep you from getting sick so often? Absolutely, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It points to research showing good hand-washing habits have reduced the incidence of diarrhea by 31 percent and the incidence of respiratory illness (including colds) by 21 percent.

Most everyone knows to wash their hands after using the bathroom and before eating, but the CDC also recommends stepping to the sink in the following four situations:-- Before, during and after preparing or handling food.-- After blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.-- After touching garbage.-- After touching either an animal or animal food.

RESEARCHNew procedure for damaged rotator cuffsThe rotator cuff is one of the most important parts of the shoulder, as it consists of muscles and tendons that hold the shoulder in place and allow the body to lift the arm and reach for items. Rotator cuff injuries are the most common source of shoulder pain and disability. Those who suffer from rotator cuff disease often avoid surgery to repair the tear due to rehabilitation and time away from work.

A new technology is now available that helps tendons heal by stimulating the growth of new tendon tissue. The Rotation Medical Bioinductive Implant, which is about the size of a postage stamp, is inserted through a small incision during a short, minimally invasive procedure. The first-of-its-kind implant can provide a range of potential benefits, including shorter rehabilitation, faster recovery, prevention or slowing of disease progression, healing of partial-thickness tears, and decreased risk of developing a subsequent tear.-- Brandpoint